Miele vs. Dyson: The Definitive Comparison

Miele vs. Dyson — whether you’re considering uprights, sticks, canisters or robots, both of these brands have many options to fit the bill ranging in price and features.

This head-to-head match-up will walk through each brand considering design, cleaning capabilities, usability, price, value, maintenance, and more.

How are Miele and Dyson different?

Both Miele and Dyson come from long lineups of quality vacuum cleaners. Miele tends to specialize in corded, bagged vacuums with fantastic suction and quality.

On the other hand, Dyson points towards more convenience with washable filters and bagless dust bins. All Dysons have great suction, but their cordless vacuums are among the most powerful in the world.

There’s more than just that though. Let’s dive into some of the most popular models by each of these brands.

Miele vs. Dyson Cordless

Cordless vacuums are increasing in popularity, as fast-paced lives increase the need for easy and quick cleaning. Both Miele and Dyson offer cordless models, although Dyson really does take the cake here.

Miele’s only cordless vacuum is a robot vacuum, the Scout RX1 or the updated RX2. So it’s not exactly comparable. However, the Miele Swing H1 is a corded vacuum that has a stick vacuum-like form factor.

On the other side of the table, we have Dyson cordless vacuums, which includes a large collection of cordless stick vacuums in the Dyson V-Series.

Miele vs. Dyson Stick Vacuums

If you’re in the market for cordless stick vacuums, Dyson has the playing field pretty well covered, but that’s not to say that Miele is down and out. Miele’s comparable stick vacuum, the Miele Swing H1 stick vacuum, is a lightweight, corded option that may still be worth a look.

Let’s dive into the details below.

The Main Difference

• The Miele Swing H1 Quick Step is a corded stick vacuum that uses a bagged canister and has a 2-in-1 design. There are two speed options and it comes with two onboard tools—the crevice tool and an upholstery brush. In addition, it comes with a filter, but when it’s time to replace the filter, it’ll cost you a bit.
• The Dyson V11 Torque Drive is a stick vacuum that also works as a portable handheld. It has a ~60-minute run time and uses a lifetime-washable filter. The Dyson comes with a variety of accessories and attachments. And the battery reportedly lasts for the life of the machine.

Miele vs. Dyson – Upright Vacuum Comparisons

Outside of the cordless market, we have upright vacuum cleaners. Both Miele and Dyson manufacture a number of upright models, each varying in features, price, and power. The table below outlines some of the most popular models from each brand.

Miele Blizzard vs. Dyson: Bagless Vacuum Comparison

The Dyson Multi-Floor upright also comes in a canister model, with a different body style, but similar features. This head-to-head matchup is going to pair the Miele Blizzard CX1 Electro vs. the Dyson Multi-Floor Canister. Both of these are bagless, corded models.

Read below for the full breakdown of some of the most important features of each model.

The Main Difference

• The Miele Blizzard canister vacuum is a corded, bagless canister vacuum. It includes an added feature of an automatic cord rewind and manual suction control.
• The Dyson Big Ball Multi-Floor canister vacuum is also a corded, bagless canister vacuum. It automatically adjusts suction for each flooring type and comes with a larger selection of accessories and cleaning tools.

Dyson Animal vs. Miele Cat and Dog: Best For Pets

For the best vacuum for pets by Miele and Dyson, there are two models that stand out in front of the pack: the Dyson Animal 2 and the Miele U1 Cat & Dog. Both of these are powerful uprights that offer many features for pet owners and advanced systems designed to tackle pet hair better.

The Main Difference

• The Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog is a bagged upright that conceals the mess, for a simple aesthetic and modern form. The bagged unit can be good for minimizing allergens and tiny pet dander from spreading, but it also incurs additional maintenance costs over the Dyson Animal 2. In addition, the Cat & Dog does not include a traditional HEPA filter and is a larger / heavier model.
• The Dyson Animal 2 is a bagless upright that uses transparency to show exactly what is going on and how it cleans. Naturally, this clear design makes it a little easier to know what happened when things go awry as well as being able to easily see when the dust bin is full. The Dyson Animal 2 includes a lifetime washable HEPA filter and is a smaller / lighter model.

Miele Scout vs. Dyson 360

Miele and Dyson each dabble in the robot vacuum market, but neither brand really seems to have a foothold. Miele, arguably more successful, has two models currently, the Scout RX1 and Scout RX2.

Dysonn has the Dyson 360 Eye and 360 Heurist. Both have limited availability and an exceptionally high price tag. The Dyson 360 Eye seems that it is in the process of being discontinued. The Heurist is really only available in the UK, Canada, and Japan.

Although we tend to recommend other robot vacuum brands over these models, you can read below to find out the specifics of each model and see how they compare.

Miele vs. Dyson for Hardwood Floors

Looking for this best vacuum for hardwood floors? This head-to-head comparison is going to look at Miele vs. Dyson for hardwoods.

Here at Modern Castle, we are firm believers that the best way to know how well a vacuum cleans a particular flooring type is to put it to the test.

For hardwoods, we tested the Miele Classic C1 canister vacuum vs. the Dyson V8 cordless stick vacuum. Let’s see how they compare.

The Main Difference

• The Miele Classic C1 canister vacuum has higher maintenance costs since it requires a replacement bag and replacement filter. This vacuum is also much heavier (16 lbs. vs. the 5.75 lb cordless Dyson V8). But all that being said, the cleaning performance of the Miele C1 on hardwoods is flawless.
• The Dyson V8 stick vacuum has lower maintenance costs since it uses a lifetime washable filter and a clean reusable dust bin. This vacuum is much lighter as well (5.75 lbs. vs. the 16 lb. Miele). The cleaning performance on hardwoods is 89% overall (struggled with large debris) and 98% or higher for small debris like rice, kitty litter, and sugar. If you want the cordless design and have a bigger budget the Dyson V10 and Dyson V11 have even better performance.

RELATED – What vacs do great on hardwoods? Find out in our best hardwood floor vacuums primer.

Miele vs. Dyson for Carpet

On carpet, vacuums require more suction in order to get a deeper clean. Additional suction can sometimes be difficult for cordless models, but corded vacuums can be bulky and difficult to maneuver.

Let’s see a head-to-head comparison of the Miele Complete C3 canister vs the Dyson V11 Outsize. Both of these vacuums are designed for high-traffic areas.

The Main Difference

• The Miele Complete C3 is one of Miele’s top-performing canister vacuums and with the most features. It has strong suction and runs off of a bagged system vs. Dyson’s bagless system. Although Miele doesn’t come out and state the exact suction power, given the price point and corded design, there is no reason to think it’s anything less than 200 AW.
• The Dyson V11 Outsize is Dyson’s newest cordless stick vacuum. It is lightweight, portable, and has up to 220 AW of suction power (almost as much as the Dyson Multifloor canister vac which tops out at 250 AW). The variable suction modes on the V11 can be helpful, particularly if you have a home with different carpet lengths, floor types, etc.

Vacuum Type Comparisons

Below we are looking at the broad lineup of the most popular Dyson and Miele vacuums from each categorical type.

Miele vs. Dyson – Upright Vacuums

Miele and Dyson both offer a wide selection of upright vacuums. Generally speaking, the Miele upright vacuums are a little larger and slightly heavier than the Dyson models. Upright Miele vacuums are all bagged models, while Dyson uprights are all bagless.

Miele Upright Vacuums

MIELE DYNAMIC U1 JAZZ | The Miele Dynamic U1 Jazz upright vacuum offers 1200W suction power, HEPA filtration, LED headlamps, an extension wand, dusting brush, upholstery tool, and crevice tool. It is a bagged system that holds 5.16 liters of dust, dirt and debris.

MIELE DYNAMIC U1 MAVERICK | The Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick is another bagged upright vacuum. It offers 1200W suction power and comes with a wand, upholstery tool, crevice tool, and a dusting brush. This model also comes with a full bag indicator so you know when it’s time to change bags. The Maverick comes with an AirClean filter and a 6 L capacity dust bag.

MIELE DYNAMIC U1 CAT & DOG | This model was designed for homes with pets and the people who live there. It is a bagged vacuum that includes the 1200W suction power, AirClean filter system, manually adjustable cleaning head for different floor heights, and a full indicator when the bag needs to be replaced. The bag can hold about 6 L of debris. The Cat & Dog includes a dusting brush, crevice tool, upholstery tool, and a mini-motorized pet tool.

Dyson Upright Vacuums

DYSON BALL ANIMAL 2 |The Dyson Animal 2 is a nice option for pet owners or homes with high-traffic. It includes a lifetime, washable filter, mini-motorized turbine tool, stair tool, and the combination tool.

Read our Dyson Ball Animal 2 review here.

DYSON BALL MULTI FLOOR 2 | This model is about two pounds lighter than the Dyson Animal 2 (and six pounds lighter than the Miele U1 uprights). The Multi-Floor 2 model comes with the lifetime, washable filter, combination tool, stair tool, and self-adjusting cleaner head. (The Miele cleaner heads are manual-adjust for different flooring types.)

Read our Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 review here.

DYSON SMALL BALL | This upright model is three pounds lighter than the Dyson Multi-Floor, and nine pounds lighter than the Miele U1 uprights. It comes with a telescoping wand / handle that allows it to compact for easy storage and transportation. It includes a lifetime, washable filter, stair tool, combination tool, and self-adjusting cleaning head. 

Read our full review with cleaning tests of the Dyson Small Ball Animal Compact here. 

DYSON CINETIC BIG BALL | The Cinetic models is one of the largest Dysons on the market today. It is filter-free and includes a redesigned dust bin that makes it easier (and more hygienic) to empty. The Dyson Cinetic includes a soft dusting brush, combination tool, multi-angle brush, stair tool, reach-under tool, mattress tool, and a tool bag to hold all of the accessories. This model was designed for allergy sufferers in mind.

Miele vs. Dyson – Stick Vacuums

For stick vacuums, Dyson definitely has more balls on the court, offering five different models in the V-series lineup (and a ton of model variants), with Miele only offering one model—the Swing H1 Quickstep. The Dyson stick vacuums are all cordless, while the Miele is a corded vacuum.

Miele Stick Vacuums

MIELE SWING H1 | The Miele corded, bagged, stick vacuum. When empty, it has a full bag capacity of 2.5 L. It offers 1000W of suction power, the AirClean filter, and a set of on-board accessories, including an upholstery tool and crevice tool. There are two speed controls and is very lightweight, coming in around 9.7 pounds.

Dyson Stick Vacuums

Dyson V11 Outsize | The V11 Outsize is Dyson’s newest stick vacuum. It’s cord-free and features a cleaning path that is 25% wider and a dust bin that can hold up to 7 cups of debris, easily the largest capacity of any Dyson still vacs on the market currently.

You can read our full Dyson V11 Outsize review here.

Dyson V11 | The V11 is basically a smaller version of the V11 Outsize. It can generate up to 185 AW of suction power, while running for up to 1 hour. This vacuum features intelligent suction and an LCD on the rear of the unit to monitor progress.

You can read our full Dyson V11 review here.

DYSON CYCLONE V10 | It uses a 2,600 mAh battery that generates suction up to 140AW. With a full charge, this vacuum will run for a maximum of 60 minutes. The V10 Absolute comes with two cleaning heads (one for carpet and one for bare floors), a combination tool, crevice tool, dusting brush, and mini-motioned turbine tool.

You can read our full Dyson V10 review here.

DYSON V8 | The Dyson V8 was released right before the V10 and has a slightly shorter run time, of about 40 minutes. The V8, as with all of the Dyson V-series stick vacuums, can be used as a stick vacuum or a portable handheld. It offers 115AW suction power and a 0.54 L dust bin capacity. 

You can see our full Dyson V8 review here.

DYSON V7 | The V7 model is one step below the V8 model. It offers a 30 minute run time with 100AW max suction. It comes with the combination tool and the crevice tool (could be more depending on the model you select). Of all the V-series stick vacuums, the V7 struggled the most with large debris on hardwoods. 

You can see our full Dyson V7 review here with complete cleaning tests.

DYSON V6 | The V6 model is the most basic V-series model that is currently offered. It has the shortest run time of only 20 minutes, but also the lowest price point. The V6 offers the same level of max suction as the V7 and the same 2-in-1 design to run as a stick vacuum or a portable handheld.

You can read our full Dyson V6 review here.

Miele vs. Dyson – Robot Vacuums

Both Miele and Dyson have a pretty minimal robot vacuum selection. With Miele it’s the Scout RX1 and RX2. Dyson has the 360 Eye and 360 Heurist.

Reviews of the Scout RX1 raises a few questions and the exorbitant price tag of the Dyson 360 Eye / Heurist puts it a little out of reach for most users. 

Click here to check out our complete Robot Vacuum Reviews for tons of popular brands. 

DYSON 360 EYE | It costs a pretty penny, but is the only robot vacuum on the market to use Dyson’s cyclone suction technology. The downside of this is the taller profile. The 360 Eye is 4.7″ tall which makes it difficult to squeeze under short furniture. In addition, this model is fairly hard to come by and not available in all markets. It’s not totally discontinued, but seems to be on its way out.

DYSON 360 HEURIST | The Heurist builds on the 360 Eye. It has the same basic form factor, same dust bin, and still uses Dyson’s cyclone suction. The biggest drawback is simply availability. It’s only available in some countries (namely UK, Canada, and Japan), making it hard to even find depending on where you live.

MIELE SCOUT RX1 | Miele’s robot vacuum boasts a 120 minute run time and offers features like smart infrared navigation, 4 cleaning modes and remote control. Corner mode, spot mode, turbo (speed) mode, and auto mode allows you the option to truly customize your cleaning experience. The RX1 also can do scheduled cleaning, under the condition that all cleanings are scheduled for the same time each day. Lastly, this model uses a bristle style brushroll which could be a problem for homes with pets since pet hair is prone to tangle.

MIELE SCOUT RX2 | The RX2 is the successor to the RX1. It has updated navigation and now creates a digital map of your home. The digital map allows for room by room cleaning and it has a sizable 0.5 L dust bin.

Miele vs. Dyson – Canister Vacuums

Canister vacuums are the only vacuum model currently in which Miele offers a bagless option. The Blizzard canister vacuum is the bagless canister option, but comes in five different styles. Dyson offers four canister vacuum models, all designed with Dyson’s Ball body style.

Read below for more details on each canister vacuum.

Miele Canister Vacuums

MIELE BLIZZARD CX1 SERIES | The Miele Blizzard CX1 series offers five different models that are basically the same except for cleaning heads and accessories. This vacuum has a retractable cord, a bagless design with an easy to empty dust bin, a lifetime filter, and on-board accessories. Accessories include a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool.

Below are the specific details about each sub-model:

• Miele Blizzard CX1 Pure Suction | Comes with a parquet cleaning head for hardwood flooring only and standard on-board accessories.
• Miele Blizzard CX1 TurboTeam | Comes with a rotating brushroll cleaning head, the parquet hardwood cleaning head, and standard on-board accessories.
• Miele Blizzard CX1 Electro | Comes with the electrobrush cleaning head for heavy-duty carpet cleaning and standard on-board accessories.
• Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog | Comes with the parquet hardwood cleaning head, the electrobrush cleaning head, standard on-board accessories, and a couple of additional accessories including an upholstery tool, another crevice tool, and a the mini motorized pet brush.
• Miele Blizzard CX1 Home Care | Comes with the electrobrush cleaning head with added LED headlamps, the XL parquet hardwood cleaning head, flexible crevice tool, universal cleaning brush, and standard on-board accessories.

Dyson Canister Vacuums

DYSON BALL CANISTER VACUUMS | The Dyson Ball canister vacuums are a little different compared to the Miele canister vacuums. Dyson makes four different models, using two body styles—the Big Ball or Standard Ball.

In the Big Ball, there is the Cinetic, Musclehead, and Multi-Floor. In the Standard Ball (smaller size) there is only one model— the Dyson Ball Multi-Floor.

Read below for details about each one.

• DYSON CINETIC BIG BALL ANIMAL | Comes with the turbine head cleaning tool, hose attachment, combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush), stair tool, and a stiff brush for dried-in dirt. As an added feature, this model requires no filter and can right itself if it topples over.
• DYSON BIG BALL MUSCLEHEAD | Comes with the turbine head and musclehead cleaning head, with a slimmer profile than the standard cleaning head. Accessories include the combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush) and a stair tool. Also comes with a lifetime washable filter.
• DYSON BIG BALL MULTI-FLOOR | Comes with the turbine cleaning head, the combination tool (crevice tool and dust brush) as well as a stair tool. The model introduces a newly designed dust bin that allows you to place the dust bin further into the trash can before releasing debris, which helps to make it cleaner and more hygienic. Also comes with a lifetime washable filter.
• DYSON SMALL BALL MULTI-FLOOR | Comes with a trigger head rotating brushroll, and two attachments—the combination tool (crevice tool and dusting brush) and a stair tool. It also comes with a lifetime washable filter.

So…Which is Better? Miele or Dyson?

So between Miele and Dyson is one definitively better than the other? Basically, no. Both brands offer their own distinct set of features and benefits, along with drawbacks.

Depending on what exactly you’re looking for, Miele or Dyson could have the best option for you.

1. What type of vacuum do you need?

• Upright Vacuum – These models generally have the most suction power and on-board features. Likewise, they are also usually heavy and can be hard to maintain at times.
• Stick Vacuum – Stick vacuums are used similarly to an upright, but they are significantly lighter, easier to maneuver. That being said, they also have smaller dust bins and may have less suction power.
• Robot Vacuum – Robot vacuums take the work right out vacuuming. Set it and forget it, these vacuums can run on their own, whether you’re home or not. Specifically considering Miele and Dyson, I have reservations about both of these models. If you’re hunting for a robot vacuum, I would recommend you check out our best robot vacuums guide.
• Canister Vacuum – Canister vacuums have strong suction power, are generally just slightly lighter than a traditional upright, and can be wheeled around as you clean. The in-hand portion is light like a stick vacuum. The Miele and Dyson canister vacuum models are corded.

2. What is your budget?

Depending on the exact type of vacuum you’re looking for, each brand seems to excel in different areas, as far as budget is concerned.

• For upright vacuums, Miele vacuums range from the $$ to $$$ tier. Dysons have a bit wider range, starting around the low $$ tier, but going towards the top of the $$$ tier.
• Stick vacuums, Miele only has one model that floats around the bottom of the $$ tier while Dyson offers five options, supplying a range from the bottom of $$ to the top top of $$$ tier.
• For robot vacuums, the Miele model is around the $$$ tier, while the Dyson comes in hot at the top of our $$$ category (arguably breaking ground into a new $$$$ tier).
• Canister vacuums, the Miele range is at the top of the market, around $$$ to $$$$, while Dyson comes in closer to the top of $$ and ranging up to $$$.

3. What features are important to you?

• You want a cordless stick vacuum with a long run time? You’ll want to check out the Dyson V10, the Dyson V11 Torque Drive, and the Dyson V11 Outsize.
• Want want a cordless vacuum with the smartest features and most power? Don’t miss the Dyson V11 Outsize or Dyson V11 Torque Drive.
• You want the absolute best vacuum for hardwoods floors? The Miele Compact C1 can’t be beat. In addition, Dyson cordless vacuums with the soft roller head like the V10 Absolute and V8 Absolute are also good choice.
• You want the power of an upright, but in a smaller size? Don’t miss the Dyson Multi Floor 2.
• You need something to remove pet hair? Dyson’s Animal 2 or the Miele Cat & Dog are both good choices.

Depending on what exactly you’re looking for, a different model may be right or wrong for you. Our hope is that the comparisons above will help you narrow down your choices and break these two mega-brands into digestible segments.

If you still can’t pick which one is right for you, please drop us a comment down below with your question. We do our best to respond to all questions within 24 hours.

Updates

• April 3, 2020 – Overhauled page design and layout. Reviewed and updated numerous recommendations. Improved formatting and tables. Added new models to the mix including the V11 Outsize, Scout RX2, among others. Also, added new links to our new product tests and reviews, where relevant.
• April 18, 2019 – Added the Dyson V11 recommendations to the mix. Updated and improved formatting to a number of areas.
• March 31, 2019 – Overhauled page design and layout.